Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has announced the implementation of a new locum support initiative, providing access to locum cover for up to 239 General Practitioners (GPs) in rural and remote areas commencing this Summer 2025.
A number of GPs in this region will be eligible to access the new service.
The programme, developed under the terms of the 2023 GP Agreement, addresses a critical need for rural GPs who often face significant challenges in securing cover for periods of planned leave.
Under the arrangement, GPs in receipt of rural practice supports will now have access to a streamlined locum sourcing service. While the GPs themselves will cover the cost of the locum, the HSE will bear the cost of securing the locum, ensuring GPs have the necessary support to maintain continuity of care to their patients in their communities.
This initiative specifically targets the 239 GPs currently receiving rural practice supports, with an initial focus on the over 130 single-handed GPs working in isolated areas, who often face the greatest challenges in finding cover.
The Minister says this locum support initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting rural GPs, helping to sustain high-quality care in some of Ireland’s most remote communities.
